SOWELL HÔTELS Le Beach

The hotel is cute, but the staff were obnoxious and need to learn some manners. The receptionist was no help at all, and I can't see how she got the job. There's no air conditioning, and they ask for a hefty deposit that costs more than the room.

The pool and the location mattered a lot with my small children, and the breakfast was good. If we came back to Trouville and really wanted those things, with no better option, I might risk staying here again. The Mercure is just as close to the boardwalk, but has no pool. Otherwise, I'd be working very hard to find somewhere better. I gave the hotel two stars, and that feels generous. Ants were in our room for the entire stay, from the moment we arrived. They were on the coffee table, nightstand, and bed, and got into the snacks I had brought for my two small children, which we needed. I told the front desk, but the staff member showed little sympathy and said, without apologizing, that ants were normal in damp weather and they'd treat the room. The hotel was full, so there was no other room available. The way that conversation went bothered me most. We paid a lot for two nights at a hotel that claims to be four stars. The room was clean apart from the ants, though it looked a little tired. For the rest of the trip I put the children's formula, snacks, and anything else with food, even the coffee cups, in plastic bags, then kept them in the bath when it wasn't being used or on high shelves. I had to reassure my four-year-old that she could sleep in the bed even though we'd found ants there and she was freaked out. It didn't feel like a four-star stay. At checkout I told the same staff member the ants were still a problem after treatment, so they could look into something possibly bigger. Again, she said it was normal and suggested my children's snacks might have attracted them. There was no apology, offer of another room, or breakfast comp. I had to ask her to give me space to explain and listen instead of dismissing me. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. At a lower-rated hotel or a campground, I might have understood the ants or the service. But if we go back to Trouville with the children looking for a pool and a great location, I'd only stay again if there really were no other choice.

It's easy to get everywhere on foot from here, and the breakfast buffet has a great range of sweet and savory food. Street parking near the hotel was easy to find, even though its private parking lot was full. The room layout was really strange, though, and could be awkward with colleagues, friends, or family. The shower is in the room's hallway, and there's no separate bathroom. A sliding door divides the toilet from the room, but it's hard to shut and doesn't block light or sound. I also wasn't sure about the cleanliness of the rooms.

Breakfast was a highlight, with a wide selection and fresh food continually replenished. I'd give it four and a half stars. The staff were all friendly and smiling, and reception was especially helpful on arrival. One thing that wasn't very professional: the man from the cleaning crew kept watching videos on his phone while the woman cleaned. The hotel is in a great spot, right by the marina and beach, no more than 500m steps. The rooms are small but neat. The bathroom and toilet are very small and dated, but since they're only for sleeping, they meet expectations. I'd definitely stay again and recommend it.